Chapter 6

"Whoa, Doc, it's just me," Lucas said. He was holding a box of creepy-looking decorations: disembodied limbs covered in fake blood, masks, skeletons, and the like. But he'd been holding the box in front of his face, so all Kristin saw when she opened the door was the disembodied limbs, causing her to cry out.

She had a hand to her chest, trying to calm herself down. "Oh, Lucas, you scared the living daylights out of me!"

"I'm sorry," Lucas said, trying to stifle a laugh. "You asked me to dig up some decorations for the party, remember?" He held up some of the disembodied limbs. "What do you think of these? Ben helped me make them," he said proudly. "Realistic looking, aren't they?"

"Very much so," she agreed. "Uh, look, I really hate to run, but I need to get to the lab. Just put the box over there, and you can show yourself out." Then she asked, "Shouldn't you be in the lab as well?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "You weren't there to tell me what to do, so I thought I'd get this taken care of. I didn't think you'd mind."

She just nodded. She really wasn't in the mood for any more arguing. "Just don't dawdle. I need your help. See you soon," she said as she left the room.

As Kristin headed down the corridor, she nearly collided with Meredith.

"Oh, nice to see you again, Doctor," Meredith gushed. "Look, I can see you're in a hurry, but I just wanted to apologize. It seems you and I have gotten off on the wrong foot, and I don't want that." She held out her hand. "Truce?"

Kristin eyed her for a moment, trying to decide if she was being sincere. She finally took Meredith's hand in hers. "Truce," she agreed. "Now, I really don't want you to think I'm avoiding you, but I really have to-"

But Meredith pulled Kristin close, causing her to lose her train of thought. Meredith brought her mouth close to Kristin's ear. "And by the way, I don't know what type of relationship you have with the captain, but it ends now. Admiral Noyce and the crew might be blind to it, but I most certainly am not. I suggest you keep your distance." Then she pushed Kristin away gently and brushed herself off. She smiled sweetly. "Well, I'm glad that's over. See you later. And just remember what I said." With that, she turned and slinked off down the hall.

Kristin just stood there for a moment, quite shocked by what had just happened. She quickly composed herself, however, knowing she had work to do. She started on her way once again, trying to forget about Nathan and Meredith for the time being.

In the lab, Kristin and Lucas continued working on their algae sample classifications. As they worked, Lucas talked excitedly about the Halloween party. Normally, Kristin would have been delighted to converse with the teen about the upcoming festivities. After all, she'd convinced Admiral Noyce to allow them to have a party with the boy in mind. But naturally, she found herself distracted considering what had just happened with Meredith. She didn't want Lucas to know she really wasn't listening, however, so she uttered an, "Uh huh." and an, "Oh, yes." on occasion as the boy jabbered on.

Kristin had known Meredith was bad news from the moment she met her. She sighed. Now that she knew that Meredith wasn't as angelic as Nathan thought, she doubted there was any way she could convince him of that. He'd already been offended when Kristin made assumptions about her. And she wondered what exactly Meredith meant by her threat. Did she mean bodily harm or something a little less severe?

"Doc?" Lucas interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Kristin answered, coming back to reality. "Uh huh."

"Well, what is it?"

"What's what?"

Lucas rolled his eyes. "You weren't listening. I asked if you had found a costume yet."

"Oh, sorry. I'm a little distracted today, I suppose." She shook her head. "I haven't decided just yet."

"Me either," Lucas admitted. "What's got you so distracted? Don't tell me it's these algae samples."

"And what if it is? Algae can be very exciting, you know."

"You don't sound very convincing," Lucas pointed out.

"I had a fight with a friend," she told him.

"What about?" Lucas pressed.

She smiled gently. "You're getting awfully personal, dear. I'd really rather not share the details, if you don't mind. It's nothing against you."

Lucas nodded. "Fine." He decided to change the subject. "So, what do you think of the captain's friend?"

"Oh, so you've met Meredith?"

"Yeah, yesterday. Do you like her?"

"It doesn't really matter what I think," she replied.

"I don't like her, either," he said. "She didn't seem to be too fond of me anyway."

"Did she say something to you?" Kristin asked in concern.

"No, but her facial expression said it. When the captain brought her to my room to introduce us, she said, 'You have a child on board?' The captain defended me and said I wasn't a child, that I was part of the crew just like everyone else. But she turned down her nose at me. I just don't like the vibe she gives off," Lucas explained.

Kristin nodded. "Well, we only have to tolerate her for a week," she said. "Um, but if she says anything to you, anything that makes you feel intimidated or doesn't sit right with you, you tell me, hm?"

"Why? Do you think she'll try to send me away, get me kicked off seaQuest?" he asked nervously.

"Oh, no, certainly not!" Kristin assured him. "The captain and Admiral Noyce would never let that happen. And neither would I. I just wanted you to know you could talk to me in case anything else happens. You know, I'm here for you."

Lucas smiled. "Oh, okay. And I know that. If I have a problem, I promise I'll tell you."

Kristin placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Good." She turned back to the petri dishes in front of her and started working once again. Then, she looked over at Lucas. He seemed just as distracted as she was, although his distraction was likely more due to his excitement over the party rather than Meredith. She had a thought. "You know, why don't you take the rest of the day off? I can handle this myself."

"Really?" Lucas asked. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I'd say finding the perfect Halloween costume is more important than boring algae samples at the moment," she said with a smile. "Now, go."

Lucas didn't wait around to be asked twice. He gathered up his things and started out the door. Then he paused and turned back. "Thanks, Doc." And with that he was gone.

Kristin sighed at sat back down in front of her algae samples. She wasn't in the mood to work either, her mind running in a thousand different directions. But somehow, she forced herself to do so. She couldn't play hooky, tempting as it was. After working for several hours, she stopped for a break, rubbing her tired eyes. Her stomach growled since she hadn't had time to get any breakfast. She looked at the clock. It was lunchtime. She considered grabbing a bite to eat in the mess. However, she also figured Nathan would probably be there as well. She didn't feel like seeing him. Plus, she had Meredith's warning to think about.

She decided to work a little longer, deciding she'd wait until the mess hall wouldn't be so crowded. But her stomach growled louder, protesting her decision. She sighed. "Fine, we'll have it your way," she muttered. She pushed her petri dishes aside and headed for the mess. On her way, she justified her decision to herself. "I can't possibly avoid Nathan every second. We're bound to run into one another at some point. It's a small boat. Meredith will understand."

But the minute she walked into the crowded mess, she noticed Nathan, Meredith, and Admiral Noyce sitting together. Meredith stared daggers at her once she noticed her. Kristin pretended not to notice and went to see what type of dishes were available today. She chose a sandwich, a salad, and a cup of coffee. Once she had her tray in hand, Bill Noyce waved to her. She walked over to their table.

"We have an extra seat here, Doctor. Why don't you join us?" Bill offered.

Kristin smiled gently, but shook her head. "Thank you, but I was going to eat in the lab today. I have a ton of work to do."

"Oh, surely, you can take a ten minute break," Noyce pressed. "Meredith was just saying how bad she feels that you and she haven't gotten a chance to get to know one another yet."

Kristin looked at Meredith, who gave her that same saccharine sweet smile she'd given her earlier and nodded. "Yes, you really should join us." But then, she gave Kristin a glare that said the opposite.

She shook her head once again. "I'm really sorry, but I have to get my work done if I want to attend the party. And unfortunately, it won't do itself. I'll have to take a rain check." Then, she added, "But I promise we'll get together before you have to leave, Meredith."

"Oh, I'm certain we will, Doctor. See you later, perhaps?" Meredith asked kindly.

"Perhaps." Then she said, "Admiral, Captain," giving them each a cordial nod before exiting the mess.

She headed back to the nearly empty lab and sat back down near her petri dishes and ate while she was recording her algae data. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder that made her jump.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you," Nathan said.

Kristin breathed deeply trying to calm herself down. "That seems to be happening a lot today," she admitted. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Meredith?"

"That's why I'm here. You know, you've really hurt her. Just because you're mad at me, don't take it out on her," Nathan said sternly.

"I've really hurt her? Nathan, you have no idea-"

"You were less than pleasant back there. In fact, I really think you ought to go back in there and apologize," Nathan scolded.

"Apologize? What for? For being honest? As much as you'd like to think you're the reason I'm not eating in the mess, you're highly mistaken. The reason I'm not eating in the mess is because I have work to do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to it."

"So, that's how it is then?"

Kristin sighed. "I thought we already decided that this morning? You do what you like, and I'll do what I like with no obligations to one another; no harm, no foul. You really shouldn't be here."

"Excuse me? This is my boat, and I'll go wherever I damn well please! And, another thing-"

"Nathan, pookie," Meredith called, appearing in the doorway. "I'd wondered where you'd gone. What are you doing here?"

"I was just talking to the doctor about her work," Nathan said. "But I guess I'm finished."

"Well, maybe the doctor can join us for dinner?" Meredith asked, the same overly-sweet smile plastered on her face.

"I'll have to see," Kristin said quietly.

And so, Meredith gently pulled on Nathan's arm, guiding out of the lab. He looked back at Kristin as they left.

Kristin merely shook her head sadly and sat back down at the table where her petri dishes were laid out. She sighed and got back to work.

After a while her PAL beeped. "Westphalen," she answered.

"Doc?" Lucas' voice sounded distressed.

"Lucas? Is something wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her words.

"I…could you just come to my room? Please?"

"I'll be right there," she promised.

Kristin quickly rushed to Lucas' room, not wasting a second. She found him standing just outside his door, looking frightened.

She immediately pulled him into a tight hug. "Are you all right?"

He nodded. "I…I'm fine…well, physically anyway. I was with Ben most of the day, looking through costume catalogs so we could decide what I wanted him to order. And, I just returned to my room…and, well…you'd better prepare yourself." He opened the door and let her enter. He walked in behind her.

"Oh, my God!" she gasped. "What happened here?"

Lucas' walls were covered in what looked like blood. The words, "Die, die, die," were written everywhere along with several pictures of stick figures, one holding a knife stabbing the other stick figure.

"I don't know. I'm all for pranks, but this is a little…disturbing. I really don't think Ben would do something so...heinous. Besides, we were together all day. There's no way he could have done this, is there?" Lucas said nervously.

"I honestly don't know, but we're going to find out. Come on."